Information and Communication Technology

At Fiveways School we want all our students to access ICT and equipment safely. We have a whole school approach to e-safety and the safe use of all technology that allows our students to use equipment and access the internet in a way that is appropriate to them. We want our students to enjoy all the benefits that technology can bring and where possible start to learn some basic skills to keep themselves safe. The technology they can use and the skills they can learn will hopefully bring them pleasure and independence throughout their life.

ICT Curriculum

Teaching and Learning at Fiveways centres on preparing pupils for life beyond the classroom; by supplying them with appropriate skills to make choices and take more control over their lives. Our pupils are living in a world where technology is continually developing, and they are exposed to a range of software and equipment at school, within the home as well as out in the community. Within a safe learning environment, our pupils are exposed to a range of technology. First steps in teaching ICT may include encountering and engaging with technology and starting to understand cause and effect. This can enable simple choice making and expression of preferences. Pupils can then move towards interacting with and controlling technology for learning and pleasure. Sharing, turn taking, learning to wait and social interaction are key elements of our ICT curriculum. At Fiveways we adapt technology to individual’s needs in order that all pupils can join in and enjoy shared activities regardless of their physical, social, emotional or communication difficulties. Relevant experiences are provided inside and outside of the classroom and pupils are supported to transfer their skills into their wider life and community.

If you have any questions about the ICT Curriculum or Technology used at Fiveways School please contact:

Naomi Austin – ICT Lead

naustin@fiveways.school

Swavek Nowakiewicz – Online Safety Coordinator

snowakiewich@fiveways.school

Keeping safe and e-safety

At Fiveways we encourage and enable all students from a young age to learn and practice good habits when using technology.

Using technology carefully – e-safety

Asking before using technology

Asking for help

Sharing with friends and adults

Finishing when asked to

Returning equipment safely when asked to

Always in sight of a member of staff

At home as at school our children and young people love to access technology whether it is iPads, phones, TV or whizzy toys. We want them to have access to the internet but it is sometimes difficult to know how to keep them safe. Our children and young people do not always have the skills to ‘self-regulate’ how they use technology / internet services and therefore are never left unsupervised at school.

We recommend that this would be good practice for Fiveways students at home as well.